Our Mathematical Universe

My Quest for the Ultimate Nature of Reality

Max Tegmark leads us on an astonishing journey through past, present and future, and through the physics, astronomy and mathematics that are the foundation of his work, most particularly his hypothesis that our physical reality is a mathematical structure and his theory of the ultimate multiverse. In a dazzling combination of both popular and groundbreaking science, he not only helps us grasp his often mind-boggling theories, but he also shares with us some of the often surprising triumphs and disappointments that have shaped his life as a scientist. Fascinating from first to last--this is a book that has already prompted the attention and admiration of some of the most prominent scientists and mathematicians.

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Very difficult book after the first few chapters. I got as far as the Big Bang and the discovery of the background microwave radiation, but I found myself nodding off during inflation and multiple universes. Tegmark dwells a bit much on his own contribution to the background microwave study. However, I recommend the last chapter where Tegmark discusses various philosophical questions from the physics viewpoint. In particular, are we alone in the universe? His answer is probably yes which I found very surprising and certainly not the mainstream view, but he makes a good case based on his analysis of the Fermi paradox.

Finally a book that posits a believable answer to what's really going on in the universe, why it turns out the way it does and how we happen to exist. The answer turns out to be remarkly simple, although not as simple as '42'. Densely written, this book will satisfy dedicated science enthusiasts looking for a challenge. In fact, I'd say it was one of the most challenging science books I've read, but what a payoff! Goes down better with intermittent YouTube lectures on all the deep topics the book explores.

The first 7 chapters are quite interesting. After that he seems to drift further and further into what I would politely call speculation (and frankly feel is a mixture of sensationalism and nonsense, but perhaps I should keep that to myself).

Interesting book for a science-curious reader. The author does a good job of making the material readable and relatable. A refreshing mix of personal stories, anecdotes and references make the information easily digestible without feeling like a college textbook.

Leading math guy who can WRITE. His big idea is so preposterous; just slightly less so than the REAL idea: one’s BELIEFS create/allow one’s reality. Tegmark proposes that math itself creates our reality, IS our reality (relationships/ratios LITERALLY are this world). He’s been castigated and then some for this and has done so anyway. Not good for the old career. >>>>> Beautiful writing for a nerd. Hey, some nerds aren’t nerds after all…. they’re just smart (not masculine brain over-loadeds; like a cyborg (part man, part machine). >>>>> Great over-view of modern math. One can learn a lot about math and it’s weaknesses, such as it’s love/need of symmetry (which doesn’t exist in the natural world at all, uniqueness does). Likewise w/infinity. Only closed systems have or would need infinity; we don’t live in one. >>>> When one deletes key aspects of a real thing, new artificial ones have to replace them. These replacements require our personal power, unto worshipping false idols. We get weaker and the ‘god’ gets stronger and requires constant rationalizations to convince newbies. The longer one rationalizes the greater the vested interest, the harder to let go or even be flexible. Scientists/mathematicians are holding on with all they’ve got. Almost none of them believe in a god concept, a creator (as though all this just ‘appeared’ because of ‘infinite’ iteration. The Big Bang is just a need for the math since everything seems/appears to be expanding; string theory (resonance) postulates a dozen or more ‘dimensions’ only because the math needs it to cover it’s flawed tracks. Just like the multinational corporations keep needing fake positions like abortion, anti-climate change, immigration, Arab Problem, femininity, gays et al to keep the dupes humping and avoiding any real truths, math men keep plugging holes in the supposed coherence of their system (it’s been proven and reproven that math isn’t coherent and can never be). Here Tegmark seeks out a new god: not truth, but math itself. In our binary ‘world’ often the closest thing is somewhat the opposite. I salute his acumen and guts. It’s cost him. He’s sooo close. A beautiful mind.